Coupling assembly

ABSTRACT

Retractable beds exist and work on a myriad of coupling assembly, for example drawstrings and springs, for enabling the bed, or in some cases mattresses, to be retracted and deployed. However, structural deficiencies together with the weight of the mattress have contributed to deficiencies and damage to these retractable beds. An embodiment of the invention herein describes a coupling assembly comprising a first support structure, a platform structure adaptable for supporting a mattress and a coupling pin. The coupling pin comprises a cylindrical portion for locating a first receptacle of the first support structure with a second receptacle of the support structure. The coupling pin further comprises for coupling with the second receptacle. The cylindrical portion is receivable by the first receptacle for pivoting the platform structure with the first support structure between a raised position and a lowered position.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a coupling assembly for use with mattress positioning mechanisms.

BACKGROUND

Residences in many cities around the world are getting smaller. This has led to insufficient space for conventional furniture or insufficient space for moving around when conventionally-sized furniture are used. This in turn has led to an industry catering to providing retractable or collapsible furniture for stowing, and in some cases concealing, the furniture when not in use. One of such furniture in issue is the bed which usually occupies the most space in a typical bedroom. Retractable beds exist and work on a myriad of positioning systems, for example drawstrings and springs, for enabling the bed, or in some cases mattresses, to be retracted and deployed. However, structural deficiencies together with the weight of the mattress have contributed to deficiencies and damage to these retractable beds. Further, the requirement for assembly of such furniture in confined spaces has led to difficult coupling of retractable or deployable mattress support structures to fixed support structures. Misalignment of the mattress support structure usually occurs once the respective side pivoting structures have been coupled to the fixed support structures. Pre-assembling the mattress support structure is also not ideal as access to enable coupling of the respective side pivoting structures to the fixed support structures is impeded. Therefore, there exists a need for a solution to the above described problem.

SUMMARY

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a coupling assembly comprising a first support structure defining a first receptacle, a platform structure having a first end and a second end and defining a second receptacle, and a coupling pin. The platform structure is adaptable for supporting a mattress thereon. The coupling pin comprises a cylindrical portion for locating the first receptacle with the second receptacle, and a fastening portion adjacent and concentric the cylindrical portion. The fastening portion is shaped and dimensioned for coupling with the second receptacle. The cylindrical portion is receivable by the first receptacle for pivoting the platform structure with the first support structure between a raised position and a lowered position.

In a accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a coupling pin comprising a cylindrical portion, a fastening portion and a head portion. The cylindrical portion is locating a first receptacle of a first support structure with a second receptacle of a platform structure. The platform structure has a first end and a second end and is adaptable for supporting a mattress thereon. The fastening portion is adjacent and concentric the cylindrical portion. The fastening portion is shaped and dimensioned for coupling with the second receptacle. The cylindrical portion is receivable by the first receptacle for pivoting the platform structure with the first support structure between a raised position and a lowered position. The head portion is adjacent and substantially concentric the fastening portion. The head portion is for abutting with the platform structure when the fastening portion is coupled to the second receptacle of the platform structure.

In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a coupling method comprising positioning a first support structure having a first receptacle with a platform structure having a second receptacle for aligning the second receptacle with the first receptacle. The platform structure has a first end and a second end and adaptable for supporting a mattress thereon. The coupling method further comprises inserting a cylindrical portion of a coupling pin through the second receptacle towards the first receptacle for locating the second receptacle with the first receptacle. The coupling pin further comprises a fastening portion adjacent and concentric the cylindrical portion. The coupling method further comprises engaging the fastening portion of the coupling pin with the second receptacle for further displacing the cylindrical portion through the second receptacle. The fastening portion is shaped and dimensioned for coupling with the second receptacle when engaged therewith wherein coupling the fastening portion of the coupling pin with the second receptacle with the cylindrical portion being received by the first receptacle pivots the platform structure with the first support structure to enable positioning of the platform structure between a raised position and a lowered position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a partial front sectional elevation of a coupling assembly formed integral with a positioning mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention with a coupling pin coupled with a first receptacle of a platform structure and received by the second receptacle of a first support structure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a partial front elevation of the a coupling pin of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a partial front sectional elevation of the coupling assembly of FIG. 1 without the coupling pin of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates a partial side elevation of the positioning mechanism of FIG. 1 with the platform structure in a lowered position and a second support structure in an outward position;

FIG. 5 illustrates a partial side elevation of the positioning mechanism of FIG. 4 with the platform structure substantially in a raised position and the second support structure in an inward position;

FIG. 6 illustrates a partial front elevation of a pair of the positioning mechanism of FIG. 4 with a bed-frame disposed therebetween and the platform structure and the second support structure of each thereof in the lowered position and the outward position respectively;

FIG. 7 illustrates a side elevation of a first support structure of the positioning mechanism of FIG. 4 configured with an actuator and the platform structure in the lowered position;

FIG. 8 illustrates a side elevation of a first linkage and a second linkage configured with the platform structure for coupling the second support structure to the first support structure of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 shows a process flow diagram of a coupling method for employing the coupling assembly of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a coupling assembly 100 formed integral with a positioning mechanism 20 for use with a mattress 22, is described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. The positioning mechanism 20 comprises a first support structure 24 and a platform structure 26 rotatably coupled to the first support structure 24 at a primary pivot 28. The platform structure 26 is for substantially supporting the mattress 22 thereon and is displaceable between a lowered position 30 and a raised position 32. The mattress 22 is preferably substantially horizontal and substantially vertical when the platform structure 26 is in the lowered position 30 and the raised position 32 respectively. When the positioning mechanism 20 is in use, the platform structure 26 is displaced to the lowered position 30 to avail use of the mattress 22 and to the raised position 32 for freeing up space when use of the mattress 22 is not required. Preferably, the mattress 22 rests on a bed-frame 34 shaped and dimensioned for accommodating the mattress 22. The bed-frame 34 is coupled to the platform structure 26 to enable the mattress 22 to be supported thereon.

The coupling assembly 100 comprises a first receptacle 102, a second receptacle 104 and a coupling pin 106. The first receptacle 102 is defined by and through the first support structure 24 while the second receptacle is defined by and through the platform structure 26. The coupling pin 106 comprises a cylindrical portion 108, a fastening portion 110 adjacent and concentric the cylindrical portion 108, and a head portion 112 adjacent and substantially concentric the fastening portion 110. The fastening portion 110 of the coupling pin 106 is positioned between the cylindrical portion 108 and the head portion 112.

The cylindrical portion 108 of the coupling pin 106 is for locating the first receptacle 102 with the second receptacle 104. The fastening portion 110 is shaped and dimensioned for coupling with the second receptacle 104. The cylindrical portion 108 is receivable by the first receptacle 102 for pivoting the platform structure 26 with the first support structure 24 between the raised position 32 and the lowered position 30 to thereby establish the primary pivot 28.

Preferably, the cylindrical portion 108 of the coupling pin 106 sits simply within the first receptacle 102. Alternatively, one of a bushing, a ball bearing and a roller bearing interfaces the cylindrical portion 108 of the coupling pin 106 and the first receptacle 102. Preferably, the fastening portion 110 of the coupling pin 106 is externally threaded and the second receptacle 104 is internally threaded for engagement with the fastening portion 110 of the coupling pin 106. Preferably, the head portion 112 is shaped for abutting with the platform structure 26 adjacent the second receptacle 104 when the fastening portion 110 is coupled to the second receptacle 104 of the platform structure 26.

Preferably, the head portion 112 of the coupling pin 106 is shaped and dimensioned for mating with a fastening tool. The fastening tool could be one of a screwdriver, for example a Philip or straight head screwdriver, an allen key of any cross-section, a wrench, a socket wrench or the like tools. Alternatively or additionally, the head portion 112 of the coupling pin 106 is externally knurled for hand tightening or for use with any friction-based tools.

The platform structure 26 has a first end 36 and a second end 38 forming extremities thereof. The primary pivot 28 is configured between the first end 36 and the second end 38 of the platform structure 26. The positioning mechanism 20 further comprises an actuator 40 extending between the first support structure 24 and the first end 36 of the platform structure 26 for biasing the platform structure 26 towards the raised position 32. The actuator 40 comprises at least one axially resiliently biased piston or the like prismatic actuator. For example, the actuator 40 comprises a pair of pistons with each thereof being axially resiliently biased pneumatically.

The positioning mechanism 20 further comprises a second support structure 42 rotatably coupled to the second end 38 of the platform structure 26. The second support structure 42 is further coupled to the first support structure 24 for displacement thereof between an outward position 44 and an inward position 46 when the platform structure 26 is displaced to the lowered position 30 and the raised position 32 respectively. The platform structure 26 extends between and is supported by the first support structure 24 and the second support structure 42 when in the lowered position 30 to thereby dispose the mattress 22 for support by the first support structure 24 and the second support structure 42. Preferably, the first support structure 24 and the second support structure 42 rest on a surface 48 when the platform structure 26 is in the lowered position 30 for spatially displacing the bed-frame 34, and consequently the mattress 22 disposed thereon, from the surface 48.

Further when in use, the bed-frame 34 is coupled to and disposed between a pair of the positioning mechanism 20 for providing and configuratively corresponding a pair of the first support structure 24 and a pair of the second support structure 42 substantially to four corners of the bed-frame 34. The pair of positioning mechanism 20, together with a pair of the integrally formed coupling assembly 100, forms a bed system.

A coupling method 200 is employed for coupling the platform structure 26 to the first support structure 24 of each of the positioning mechanism 20. When employing the coupling method 200, the bed-frame 34 may already be assembled with the platform structures 26 or may be in a unassembled state. In the coupling method 200, the first receptacle 102 of the first support structure 24 is positioned for alignment with the second receptacle 104 of the platform structure 26 in a step 202. Next, the cylindrical portion 108 of the coupling pin 106 is inserted through the second receptacle 104 towards the first receptacle 102 for locating the second receptacle 104 with the first receptacle 102 in a step 204. The second receptacle 104 is a through hole while the first receptacle 102 is one of a through hole and a blind hole. Next, the fastening portion 110 of the coupling pin 106 is engaged with the second receptacle 104 for further displacing the cylindrical portion 108 through the second receptacle 104 in a step 206. The coupling pin 106 is then tightened via the fastening portion 110 till the head portion abuts with the platform structure 26 adjacent the second receptacle 104.

A spring washer and/or thread-lock may be employed to impede loosening and dislodgement of the fastening portion 110 of the coupling pin 106 from the second receptacle. Alternatively or additionally, a c-clip may be employed adjacent a free end of the cylindrical portion 108 of the coupling pin 106 to prevent displacement of the cylindrical portion 108 out of the first receptacle 102.

Preferably, the first support structure 24 is a panel supported from the surface 48 and disposed substantially perpendicular a wall (not shown). The panel is made from wood, metal or the like material having sufficient strength when shaped and dimensioned for supporting the mattress 22 and the platform structure 26. The panel is further shaped for forming a portion of a furniture or a cabinet. For example, the panel is made from wood and forms a side of a box-shaped structure dimensioned for substantially receiving the mattress 22 therewithin when the platform structure 26 is in raised position 32. Preferably, the inward position 46 of the second support structure 42 substantially opposes the outward position 44 thereof for enabling the second support structure 42 to be substantially received in box-shaped structure or the like concealment structure for substantially visually conceal the second support structure 42 formed in part by the first support structure 24.

Alternatively, the first support structure 24 comprises a panel structure 50 and an interface plate 52. The panel structure 50 is supported from the surface 48 and disposed substantially perpendicular a wall (not shown) with the interface plate 52 inter-coupling the panel structure 50 and the platform structure 26. Preferably, the first receptacle 102 is formed in the interface plate 52 for coupling with the platform structure 26 via the coupling pin 106 and whereabout the platform structure 26 rotatably displaces relative the first support structure 24. Therefore, the interface plate 52 is preferably made of metal or the like wear-resistant material.

When the panel structure 50 forms part of, for example a siding of, the box-shaped structure, the positioning mechanism preferably further comprises a head-board assembly (not shown) configured for concealing at least a portion of the actuator 40 when the platform structure 26 is in the lowered position. The head-board assembly is coupled to the platform structure 26 for moving in tandem therewith and is configured such that when the platform structure 26 is displaced from the lowered position 30 to the raised position 32, the head-board assembly structurally collapses for allowing the box-shaped structure more space for accommodating the platform structure 26 and the mattress 22 supported thereon.

The positioning mechanism 20 further comprises a first linkage 54 and a second linkage 56. The first linkage 54 is preferably slidably coupled to the platform structure 26 for displacement along a longitudinal axis 58 extending between the first end 36 and the second end 38 of the platform structure 26. The first linkage 54 is rotatably coupled to the second support structure 42 at one end thereof. The second linkage 56 is rotatably coupled to a link point 60 on the first support structure 26 at one end thereof and rotatably coupled to the other end of the first linkage 54 at the other end thereof.

Preferably, the distance between the primary pivot 28 and the point where the actuator 40 couples with the first support structure 26 is larger than the distance between the primary pivot 28 and the link point 60.

Structurally, when in use, the Euclidean distance between the link point 60 and the longitudinal axis 58 of the platform structure 26 increases when the platform structure 26 is displaced from lowered position 30 towards the raised position 32 to thereby displace the first linkage 54 away from the first end 36 and towards the second end 38 of the platform structure 26. The second support structure 42 is displaced from the outward position 44 towards the inward position 46 when the first linkage 54 is displaced away from the first end 36 and towards the second end 38 of the platform structure 26.

Preferably, the second support structure 42 comprises a mounting plate 62, a leg structure 64 extending from the mounting plate 62 and a connector 66 having one end rotatably coupled to the mounting plate 62 and another end rotatably coupled to the first linkage 54. The mounting plate 62 is coupled to the platform structure 26 and is operable for displacing the leg structure 64 between an inward position and an outward position corresponding with the inward position 46 and the outward position 44, respectively, of the platform structure 26. The connector 66 and the mounting plate 62 are so inter-configured to enable the leg structure 64 to travel more than 100 degrees angle when displaced from one to the other of the inward position and the outward position.

The actuator 40 is for providing an actuation force when in use. The actuator 40, the platform structure 26 and the first support structure 24 are inter-configured for substantially balancing moment generated by the weight of the mattress 22 and moment generated by the actuation force of the actuator 40 about the primary pivot 28 when the platform structure 26 is substantially at least one of in the lowered position 30, the raised position 32 and substantially proximal the raised position 32.

In the foregoing manner, a coupling assembly formed integral with a positioning mechanism for use with at least one mattress is described according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Although only one exemplary embodiment of the present invention is disclosed, it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art in view of this disclosure that numerous changes and/or modifications can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. 

We claim:
 1. A coupling assembly comprising: a first support structure defining a first receptacle; a platform structure having a first end and a second end and defining a second receptacle, the platform structure and is adaptable for supporting a mattress thereon; and a coupling pin comprising: a cylindrical portion for locating the first receptacle with the second receptacle; and a fastening portion adjacent and concentric the cylindrical portion, the fastening portion being shaped and dimensioned for coupling with the second receptacle, the cylindrical portion being receivable by the first receptacle for pivoting the platform structure with the first support structure between a raised position and a lowered position.
 2. The coupling assembly as in claim 1, the fastening portion being externally threaded and the second receptacle being internally threaded for engagement with the fastening portion of the coupling pin.
 3. The coupling assembly as in claim 1, the coupling pin further comprising: a head portion adjacent and substantially concentric the fastening portion, the head portion for abutting with the platform structure when the fastening portion is coupled to the second receptacle of the platform structure.
 4. The coupling assembly as in claim 3, the head portion of the coupling pin being shaped for mating with a fastening tool.
 5. The coupling assembly as in claim 1, further comprising: an actuator extending between the first support structure and the first end of the platform structure for biasing the platform structure towards the raised position; and a second support structure rotatably coupled substantially adjacent the second end of the platform structure, the second support structure capable of displacement between an outward position and an inward position, said outward position substantially opposite said inward position, when the platform structure is displaced towards the lowered position and the raised position respectively, wherein the platform structure extends between and is supported by the first support structure and the second support structure when in the lowered position to thereby dispose the mattress substantially parallel the surface.
 6. The coupling assembly as in claim 1, the actuator being at least one axially resiliently biased piston.
 7. The coupling assembly as in claim 1, the first support structure comprising: a panel structure whereto the platform structure is coupled, the panel structure being supported on the surface and disposed substantially perpendicular a wall.
 8. The coupling assembly as in claim 7, the first support structure further comprising: an interface plate structurally inter-coupling the panel structure and the platform structure.
 9. The coupling assembly as in claim 7, the panel structure constituting a side of a box structure shaped for substantially receiving and concealing the mattress, the second support structure and a portion of the platform structure when the platform structure is in the raised position and the second support structure is in the inward position.
 10. The coupling assembly as in claim 9, further comprising: a head-board assembly configured for concealing at least a portion of the actuator when the platform structure is in the lowered position, the head-board assembly being coupled to the platform structure and is structurally collapsible when the platform structure is displaced towards the raised position.
 11. The coupling assembly as in claim 1, further comprising: a first linkage slidably coupled to the platform structure, the first linkage being rotatably coupled to the second support structure at one end thereof; and a second linkage rotatably coupled to a link point on the first support structure at one end and rotatably coupled to the other end of the first linkage at the other end thereof, the Euclidean distance between the link point and the longitudinal axis of the platform structure increases when the platform structure is displaced from lowered position towards the raised position to thereby displace the first linkage away from the first end and towards the second end of the platform structure, the second support structure is displaced from the outward position towards the inward position when the first linkage is displaced away from the first end and towards the second end of the platform structure.
 12. The coupling assembly as in claim 1, the platform structure forming a portion of a bed-frame whereon the mattress is supported.
 13. The coupling assembly as in claim 12, the bed-frame comprising: a concealment panel for substantially concealing the bed-frame when the platform structure is in the raised position.
 14. The coupling assembly as in claim 1, the actuator providing an actuation force and the actuator, the platform structure and the first support structure being inter-configured for substantially balancing the moment generated by the weight of the mattress and the moment generated by the actuation force of the actuator about the pivot when the platform structure is substantially at least one of in the lowered position, the raised position and substantially proximal the raised position.
 15. A coupling pin comprising: a cylindrical portion for locating a first receptacle of a first support structure with a second receptacle of a platform structure, the platform structure having a first end and a second end and adaptable for supporting a mattress thereon; a fastening portion adjacent and concentric the cylindrical portion, the fastening portion being shaped and dimensioned for coupling with the second receptacle, the cylindrical portion being receivable by the first receptacle for pivoting the platform structure with the first support structure between a raised position and a lowered position; and a head portion adjacent and substantially concentric the fastening portion, the head portion for abutting with the platform structure when the fastening portion is coupled to the second receptacle of the platform structure.
 16. The coupling pin as in claim 15, the fastening portion being externally threaded and the second receptacle being internally threaded for engagement with the fastening portion of the coupling pin.
 17. The coupling pin as in claim 16, the head portion of the coupling pin being shaped for mating with a fastening tool.
 18. A coupling method comprising: positioning a first support structure having a first receptacle with a platform structure having a second receptacle for aligning the second receptacle with the first receptacle, the platform structure having a first end and a second end and adaptable for supporting a mattress thereon; inserting a cylindrical portion of a coupling pin through the second receptacle towards the first receptacle for locating the second receptacle with the first receptacle, the coupling pin further comprising a fastening portion adjacent and concentric the cylindrical portion; and engaging the fastening portion of the coupling pin with the second receptacle for further displacing the cylindrical portion through the second receptacle, the fastening portion being shaped and dimensioned for coupling with the second receptacle when engaged therewith, wherein coupling the fastening portion of the coupling pin with the second receptacle with the cylindrical portion being received by the first receptacle pivots the platform structure with the first support structure to enable positioning of the platform structure between a raised position and a lowered position.
 19. The coupling method as in claim 18, the fastening portion being externally threaded and the second receptacle being internally threaded for engagement with the fastening portion of the coupling pin.
 20. The coupling method as in claim 16, the coupling pin further comprising a head portion adjacent and substantially concentric the fastening portion, the head portion for abutting with the platform structure when the fastening portion is coupled to the second receptacle of the platform structure, the head portion of the coupling pin being shaped for mating with a fastening tool. 